Door latch



R.'T. ANDERSON Jan. 18, 1949.

DOOR LATCH Filed June 21, 1944 2 Sheets-Sh et l 3 2 2 3 w M 7 2 0 ,M 4 M Q 6 m O 4 3 n iHH 7 a f 4 A M HHH HHH w m 1 v 7 c l l l l k W l H q. 5 gm 0 a, 4 5 5 mm m m m 0 mm 2 0 3 5 a Z 3 7 A- 2 z 4 0 L 6 4 5 v w. 0 a G 5 H {I 7 F \IIIIIHIIH Q A nn m m M m Mm 0 l l l l h l l l 7 5 A 9 z a w 7 w 3 m Jan. 18, 1949. R. T. ANDERSON DOOR LATCH 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 Filed June 21, 1944 Patented Jan. 18, 1949 "UNITED STATES rarest UFHCE '1 Claims.

My invention relates to an improvement in door latch and deals more particularly with a latch of the handle type.

In recent years latches of the handle type have "ecome increasingly popular. Most of these latches with which I am familiar are provided with a swingabiy mounted handle extending on both sides of the door and which is operable by a pull upon the handle on one side of the door and a push on the handle on the opposite side of the door. Certain difficulties have been found with this type of latch. The public has become so ace zstomed to the practice of turning a knob to open a door that occasionally considerable twisting strain is exerted against the door handle in an attempt to open the door. As the handles have been supported in such a manner that no twistof the handle was permitted, occasionally a handle or its support will be broken by this twisting strain. Numerous latches have been replaced after being broken by a person attempting to open the door by twisting the handle rather than by pusl ing or pulling upon the same.

It the object or" the present invention to produce a latch of the handle type which may be operated either by a pushing or pulling action as above described, or which may be operated by a twisting movement of the handle. As a result the twisting force often exerted upon the door handles will not injure the operating mechanism ti A twisting action of the door handle in either direction will tend to unlatch the door and permit the same to be opened.

A feature of my invention lies in the provision of handles normally held in a selected position by resilient means. This handle is supported in a housing extending into the body of the door and is universally pivoted at one side of said casing. A. latch bolt is freely connected to said handle at a point spaced from the universal pivotal support. The swinging of the handle in a horizontal plane acts to retract the normally projecting latch bolt from engagement with its keeper.

The universally supported handle is also provided with an arm or projecting means extending vertically both above and below the handle. This arm or projection is. engageable with fixed fulcrum points on the latch casing. Rotation of the handle about its aids in one direction tends to cause one end of this arm or projection to engage its fulcrum and to slide the latch bolt out of engagement with its keeper. Pivotal movement of the handle about its axis in the opposite direction causes the other end of the arm or projection to engage its fulcrum and to retract the. latch bolt. Thus either pivotal movement of the handle about its transverse axis or a swinging movement of the handle in a horizontal plane will act to disengage the latch.

A feature of the present invention lies in the locking means employed to hold the latch bolt from retraction. The handle is connected to a slidable plate, which in turn is connected to the latching bolt to operate the same. This slidable plate is provided with a notch in one side thereof. A sleeve is engageable in this notch and in locked position oi. the door, prevents longitudinal movement of the plate. The sleeve is provided with a notch in one side thereof through which the plate may slide. Thus when the sleeve is in one rotative position the latch bolt may be retracted, while in any other rotative position the latch bolt is prevented -irom such rotation. A key is provided for rotating this sleeve and to thus locker unlock the latch bolt.

The key construction comprises a novel feature of the present invention. The key is generally cylindrical to fit within the rotatable sleeve previously described. Angularly spaced grooves are provided in the cylinder to accommodate a redetermined key. The angular positions of the slots in the key must correspond with the angular positions of the projections in the sleeve in order to accommodate the key.

These and other objects and novel features of my invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the. following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of my specificanon:

Figure his a transverse section through a door and frame showing the position of the lock therein.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the lock, portions of the casing thereof being broken away in order to show the internal construction thereof.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the handle in a diiferent position.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the handle in another position.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the latch showing the handle thereof in still a different position.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional View through the latch mechanism.

Figure 7 is an elevational view of the exterior of the latch casing.

Figure 8 is an elevational view of the key.

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view of the key and its. rotatable sleeve.

3 Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9, the view being taken at right angles to the view of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the latch bolt housing it attached to the housing of the latch mechanism.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the lock for holding the latch bolt mechanism from operation.

The latch A is designed to fit into a circular aperture in in a door B. A second aperture H extends from the free edge l2 of the door B into communication with the aperture 10 through the body of the door. The circular apertures l and H are designed to accommodate the circular casing of my latch. Obviously, however, the

shape of the apertures may be changed to accom modate dififerent styles of casings which may enclose the latch mechanism. a

The latch A is housedin a hollow substantially cylindrical cuter casingl3 having a closed end it and a circumferential flange l at its other end. The flange [5 may be attached to the cover plate it which extends over one face of the door B and the cover plate I! overlying the opposite face of the door B. The cover plates I6 and I] are held in proper position by any suitable means such asbolts [9. The cover plates l6 and. H conceal the edges of the aperture 40 and the casing |3.

A substantially U-shaped handle 2! is provided with parallel handle ends and 22 and a relatively straight center portion 23. Hollow socket like handles 2 and 25 are secured to the handle ends 2i and 22, as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings, these handles being held in place by bolts 26 or other suitable means.

Secured to the central portion 23 of the handle 25) I provide a disc or plate 21. This disc or plate is secured to the handle to rotate therewith. A'portion of the disc or plate 21 is cut away to provide opposed notches 29 and 30. These notches 29 and 30 engage pivot pins 3! and 32, which will be later described in detail.

The cover plate H is providedwith a center aperture 33 which forms a universal pivotal support for the handle 20. The closing end I4 of the housing is provided with an aperture therethrough sufficiently larger than the diameter of the handle to permit the swinging movement of the handle 28. The open end of the housing [3 is closed by a disc closure 34, best illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 of the drawings. This disc closure 34 is provided with angularly spaced arcuated flanges 35, 35, and 31 which engage within the hollow cylindrical casing walls l3 to hold the plate 35 properly spaced from the closed end M of the casing. The closure plate 3 3 is provided with an elongated slot 39 therein which permits swinging movement of the handle 20 about its fulcrum 33. The spring 40 is compressed between the central portion 23 of the handle 20 and the flange 3?. This spring is anchored to a projection M on the flange 37. The spring 46 is conical, and the small end thereof encircles a pin 42 on the handle 20 so as to hold the spring engaged between the handle and the flange 31. This spring it! acts to normally hold the handle 20 in the position illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.

I The closure plate 36 is held in proper position by means of the pivot pins 3! and 32. These pivot pins are headed and extend through the plate 34 and through the closed end 14 of the latch housing. The ends of the pins are threaded to accommodate nuts which act to hold the closure plate 34 and the housing in assembled relation.

A plate Ml is slidable externally of the closure plate 34 and is provided with an elongated slot 55 therein through which the center portion 23 of the handle 25 extends. A similarly directed slot 45 is provided in the closure plate 34. A pin or bolt Ll'l extends through the slot 45 to connect the plate M with the inner end-of the latch bolt 59. The outer end 50 of the latch bolt 49 is cam-shaped or Wedge-shaped so that the latch bolt 19 may be retracted independently of the handle operation as the door swings closed.

The door frame 5! is provided with a keeper 52 therein of any suitable type, including a recess 53 into which the beveled or wedge-shaped end' 55 of the latch bolt 59 may engage. As the door closes the beveled end thereof acts in the manner of a cam to retract thelatch bolt until it aligns with the aperture 53. whereupon the bolt enters the aperture. A spring 54 encircles the latch bolt 45 and extends between a collar or sleeve 50 enclosing the end of the latch bolt and the outer surface of the casing 13. The latch bolt 49 is accordingly held in 'normally'projecting position due to'the action of this spring 5d.

A sleeve 55 encloses the latch bolt 59 and serves as a guide therefor. This sleeve 55 is provided at its outer extremity with a flange 56 having apertures 5i therein through which screws may extend to hold the sleeve 55 in proper position with relation to the door B. As best illustrated in Figure 11 of the drawings, lips 59 are provided at the inner extremityof the sleeve 55, which lips are engageable in arcuated slots 66 in the casing or housing Wall l3. This holds the sleeve 55 in proper position relative to the latch housing.

The plate 44 is provided with a notch 5| therein in one side thereof. A sleeve 62 is rotatably supported by the housing end It and the closure plate 34 and engages in this notch 6|. The relative position between the sleeve 62 and the notch 6! may be best seen inFigure 7 of the drawings. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the sleeve 62 is provided with a slot 63 in one side thereof of proper'depth and in proper'position to permit the plate '24 to slide therethrough. It will be obvious that when the sleeve 62 is in position so thatrthe slot 53 is on the side ofthe sleeve next adjacent theplate 4d, longitudinal movement of this plate may be effected. However, when the sleeve 52 is inany other rotatable position the plate Mi will be held from movement, thus preventing movement of the latch bolt 49.

As will be seen in Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings the sleeve 62 is provided with an enlarged diameter portion 6 2 which is positioned between the closure, plate 34 and the housing wall l4, thus holding the sleeve from longitudinal movement. This enlarged diameter portion 64 is provided with a groove 65 therein which extends approximately'one-half the circumference of the enlarged diameter portion. Inwardly extending slots 56 are provided at each end of the groove 65. These .slots 66 communicate with the hollow interior of the sleeve 62.

As illustrated in Figures 6, 9, and 10 of the drawings; one or more inwardly extending keys B'l areprovided in the sleeve 52. These keys 6'! are placed in various angular relations. The key 69, best. illustrated in Figure 8 of the drawings, is provided with. one or more keys ways 10 to accommodate the keys B1. Thesekey ways 10 are angularly spaced in the same manner that the keys 61 are angularly spaced, so that the proper key may be inserted in the sleeve, but any other key would be excluded therefrom. Thus the key 69' must have slots or key ways Tl] which match the positions of the keys 61 before the key may be inserted. The key 65 is provided with a flat head. I L, by means of which it may be rotated. The key is also provided with. an annular groove T2 for the purpose which will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

With reference new to Figures 6 and 1'21 of the drawings, it will be. noted that spacer sleevesv I3. and 1.4 encircle the pivot pins 3i: and 32 between the closure plate it and the housing plate: H47. A lever 15 isprovided; with a hollow journal l8 which encircles the sleeve l4. and is rotatably supported thereby. The free end of the: lever 7.5- is provided with a finger Hi designed to extend through the slots 665 in. the: sleeve 52. A spring 11 is secured to the lever l5 and engages against the flange 3B. The sprin t7 normally tends to urge the finger 116. into. engagement with one of the slots 66. This finger 16 engages. the key 69 when the same is inserted into the sleeve 62. Theedges of the slots. 66 are beveled; so that when the. finger It is urged outwardly by the key, the inclined. edge. of the slot; will act. as a. cam to force the. lever i5 out of engagement with the slot, the finger 76 then riding; against the base of the groove 65 until the other extreme position of the sleeve: 52 is reached, whereupon, the lever 75 will engage in the other notch 66. However, when the key 69 is not in place the lever 15- engages into the sleeve 2. distance sufiicient to prevent rotation of the sleeve 6 2:, thereby holding the sleeve in looking or unlocking position.

The operation of my latch will now be described. In installing the latch A. in the door B, an aperture it is cut through the door and an aperture I l is formed in the edge. 12 of the door B communicating with the aperture [0. The housing I 3 is inserted into the aperture. it, the holes are formed for the bolts l9. The sleeve 55 is then inserted through the aperture It, the fingers 59- extending through the slots 6!! in the casing wall l3. The spring 54 is theninsertedin the sleeve 55 and. screws or other fastening means are inserted. through the holes-'51 in the flange 56 tohold the sleeve 55 in proper position. The latch bolt 49- is then inserted through the sleeve 55 and through the. spring 54 The bolt or pin. 4'! is then inserted through. the plate. 44- and the slot 46, this pin bolt engaging into the. end of the latch bolt 49. This pin. or bolt 47 holds the latch bolt in proper position and holds the spring 54 more slightly compressed.

With the handles 24 and 25 removed from the U-shaped handle 20, the cover plates l6 and H are then threaded upon the handle ends 2! and 22 and the latch housing is secured in place by means of the bolts It. The handles 24 and 25 are then attached in the manner illustrated.

The key 69 is then inserted in its sleeve 52 and the latch is in readiness for operation. The key 69' when fully inserted in. the sleeve 62 engages the finger 1.6 of the lever I in. a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 6. When sup ported in this position the sleeve 62 may be retated unison with the key, the key ways and keys 61 holding the key and sleeve from relative rotation. The sleeve 62 is then rotated until the slot 63 is in registry with the adjacent edge of the plate 44. In this position of the sleeve 62, the plate 44 may be moved longitudinally,

In this position of the door, the door may be closed without actuation of the handle 20. The

camend so of the latch bolt-4 9 engages the door frame and retracts the bolt 49 simultaneously, compressingthe spring 542 When the latch bolt is in registry With the keeper aperture 53, the spring 54 urges the bolt ihtopro'jected position, holding the door closed. The door maybeopened by operating the handle in three different ways. Figure 3 oi the drawings illustrates one of the three positions oi the handle 29, which will act to retractthe latch. bolt. Whenv the handle at is rotated about the axis of the straight: portion 23 thereof in one direction, the notch 29 engages against the pivot pin 3!. This pivot pin is fixed with respect to the latch casin and therefore rotation of: the: handle 2!!- actsto move the notch 30 away from its pivot bolt 342:, the disc or plate 21' pivoting about. the. pivot pin 31 as a fulcrum. This. action inclines the d'oorhandle moving the same the slot in a manner to compress the spring 40'. The pivotala movement or the handle 21! is. not sufiicient to. pemnanently change the shape of the spring 40 by engagement with. the projection 42. This inclined movement or the handle 2!]. slides the. plate 464 along the. closure plate. 3.4., acting through the pin 41'.- to. retract. the latch bolt 49,. compressing the. spring 54;; Both the spring 40: and the: spring 5'4: assist in returning the latch bolt and handle into normal positi'on when the: handle" is? released- In. the: event the handle 2t is rotated. in a. direction. opposite; the; direction. of rotation de. scribed in connection: with. Figure; 3 the latch will assume; the position illustrated. in Figure 4:" ot the drawings. Twisting movement ofthehandle in this case will causethey notch to engage the pin 32;. this pin acting as a fulcrum to; separate the notch 29 from its pin 31 and: to move the handle 20 longitudinally of the slot 329% This movement of: the handle 20. moves the plate 44 longitudinally, acting through thepin- 41 to re;- tract the latch bolt 49, compressing the-spring. 54. The springs and 54 cooperate in returning the handle and latch bolt into normal position.v

In Figure 5 of the drawings, I disclose another handle movement which eliects the retraction of the latch bolt. If the handle end. 2| is pulled or if the handle 22 is. pushed, the entire handle will swing about its fulcrum 33 into the position. illustratecl in Figure 5. In this event both of the notches 29. and 39 are withdrawnfrom their respective pivots 3i and 32:, moving the handle 20 longitudinally of the slot 38. This action compresses the spring 40 and. also acts to slide the plate? longitudinally, acting through the pin or bolt. 41 to retract the. latch bolt 49 The springs 41]. and. 54- again cooperateinreturning the handle to normal position when. released.

It will thus be noted that. the latch may be opened bya swinging movement of. the handle or by a. rotativemovement thereof. in either direction. It will. also be noted that in every event the. handle. and. latch bolt will be returned to normal position by the springs 40 and 54.. It should further be seenthat the latch boltv 49 may move independently of the handle 20 by moving the latch bolt- 49,1;he bolt 41 and the plate 44, the slot. being long enough to permit movement. of the plate. without moving: the handle.

The groove 12 in the key 69 holds the key in position in the sleeve 62. The finger 16 of the lever 15 may engage in this notch when the key is partially inserted. In this position of the key the finger 16 is not retracted and the latch may be held either in locked or unlocked position, depending upon which slot 66 embraces the finger 1B. To move the key longitudinally in either direction from this intermediate position requires the retraction of the lever against spring ten sion. Thus the key is maintained in the sleeve 52 against accidental removal.

It will be noted that with the present lock it is extremely easy to insert the key in order to unlock the door. The key is inserted into the sleeve 62 which projects from the housing of my latch. The projecting end of this sleeve 62 is readily located by touch even when it can not be seen and the key may be readily inserted thereinto. Thus my latch may be easily locked or unlocked even in total darkness.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my door latch, and while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiments thereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim: 1

1. A door latch comprising a casing, a handle extending through said casing, means pivotally supporting said handle for pivotal or swinging movement thereof, means on said handle spaced from the axis thereof engageable with said casing' upon pivotal movement of said handle in either direction to cause a swinging movement of said handle, resilient means urging said handle to one extreme position, a slidable latch bolt, and a link having a slot therein through which the handle extends at a point on the handle spaced from said pivotal supporting means connecting said handle and said latch bolt.

2. A door latch comprising a casing, a handle extending through aid casing, means pivotally supporting said handle for pivotal or swinging movement thereof, means on said handle spaced from the axis thereof engageable with said casing upon pivotal movement of said handle in either direction to cause a swinging movement of said handle, resilient means urging said handle to one extreme position, a link looped about said handle at a point spaced from said pivotal supporting means, the swinging movement of said handle sliding said link, and a slidable latch bolt connected to said link to move therewith.

3. A door latch comprising a casing, a handle extending through said casing, means pivotally supporting said handle for pivotal or swinging movement thereof, means on said handle spaced from the axis thereof engageable with said casing upon pivotal movement of said handle in either direction to cause a swinging movement of said handle, resilient means urging said handle to one extreme position, a barrel extending from said casing, a bolt slidably supported in said barrel, a link connected to said bolt and slidable therewith, said link having a slot therein encircling said handle, at a point spaced from said pivotal supporting means. I

4. A door latch comprising'a casing, a handle extending through said casing, means pivotally supporting said handlefor pivotal or swinging movement thereof, means on said handle spaced from the axisthereof engageable with said casing'upon pivotal movement of said handle in ing upon pivotal movement of said handleineither direction to cause a swinging movement of said handle, resilient means urging said handle to one extreme position, a bolt slidably supported by said casing, a link having a slot therein encircling said handle at a point spaced from said pivotal supporting means, and a pin pivotally 1 connected to said link for connecting said link to said bolt.

6. A door latch comprising a casing, a handle extending through said casing, means pivotally supporting said handle for pivotal or swinging movement thereof, means on said handle spaced from the axis thereof engageable with said casing upon pivotal movement of said handle in either direction to cause a swinging movement of said handle, resilient means urging said handle to one extreme position, a bolt slidably supported by said casing, spring means normally urging said bolt in one direction, a link having a slot therein through which said handle extends at a point spaced from said pivotal supporting means, and a connecting pin connecting said link to said bolt.

7. A door latch comprisinga casing, a handle connecting therethrough, means on said casing pivotally and swingably connecting said handle to said casing, means on said handle comprising a pair of spaced hooks oppositely disposed on opposite sides of the handle axis, means on said casing engageable in each of said hooks, said last named means limiting the swinging movement of said handle in one direction, spring means normally biasing said handle, toward said limited position, a slidable latch bolt connected to said handle and slidably supported in said casing to slide upon swinging movement of said handle, and a link pivotally connected to said latch bolt and to said handle, said link havinga slot therethrough through which said handle may extend at a point spaced from said pivotal supporting means.

, RICHARD T. ANDERSON.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 501,639 Badoni July 18, 1893 583,549 7 Richardson June 1, 1897 594,931 Bigelow f Dec. 7, 1897 1,720,641 Wread July 9, 1929 1,877,331 Johnstone Sept. 13,1932 2,334,065

' Burke Nov. 9,1943 

